M17xR3 Raid 1?

Hey guys,

So my M17xR3 will probably be arriving in a few days.

The M17x comes with only one hard disk. I have a spare 750gb that I want to configure in Raid 1.

I've read some guides saying that configuring a Raid 0 requires a full reformat, is that the case if I were to add another 750gb drive and configure it to Raid 1 too?

 

I believe every raid setup requires you to wipe all drives involved, but I haven't personally used Raid 1 before.

 

^ Ding ding ding, we have a winner.

Yes, you have to wipe drives to set up raid. Why would you do Raid 1? That is mirroring and is just good for fault protection. It will be slower than a single drive.

 

Yup, RAID1 is single than a slower drive.

When you get your system, your drives will already be configured in RAID 0 by default... Then changing your settings will require you to completely erase your both drives and perform a installation from Basics.

 

On this note, I wonder why Dell is shipping out all M17xR3 with RAID 0 configuration even if it has only one drive. :O

May be it's just their ploy to have the user lose all their data and use the resource disk and install Command Center from there and blow up the damn motherboard like it happened when M15x was at it's early stages. Lol...

 

No you do not have to wipe your data. Add the second drive, boot into Windows (yes), and doubleclick the icon in your tray for the "Intel Rapid Storage Tech". There you can create RAID 0 or RAID 1 without reformatting. This is specifically why your laptop ships in RAID mode even with a single drive. So that you can perform upgrades like this.

The only case you'll need to reformat your R3 to create a RAID is if you reinstalled Windows in AHCI mode (without RAID drivers). In that case you'll have to reformat again or use a complicated registry hack. The bottom line is to leave the R3 in RAID mode in the bios. No performance hits on single drives; you even continue to get TRIM support on SSDs if they're not part of an array, despite being in RAID mode.

 

Forgot to add, if you ordered a single drive, your system comes configured in RAID mode but no drives are attached to an array. This makes the upgrade extremely easy, but for maximum compatibility you'll want to make sure you buy exactly the same drive the R3 comes with when you do your upgrade to RAID.

 

Hmm okay so that means I don't have to wipe anything but rather directly configure from the intel rapid storage program?

 

Yeah precisely. As with any lengthy disk operation though, make sure to backup as well as have those Alien Respawn discs prepared. Usage of the Intel RST is nicely documented in the program's help menu.

 

Thanks for the info Shadow...much appreciated.

 

Yeap no problem.

 

Hi Guys

Am brand new here on this forum, so apologies if I appear a bit of a Noob!

I will be taking delivery of my M17 R3 on 23rd, and am reading this thread with interest. I have brought my machine with 4Gb of RAM as I can buy and install 16Gb myself cheaper.

I have also been looking at doing the same thing with the Hard Disk. I have gone for the single 750Gb, with the original intention of swapping it for a SSD and using the 750Gb as a Data drive. However after reading the forums am a bit wary; I'm not totally confident of having to re-install Windows/drivers etc. So now my idea is to leave the Dell one where it is, and get another 750GB HDD to use as a Data drive. Not as good I know, but a damn sight easier!

However whilst reading this thread, I get the impression that if I put another Drive in, then the easist thing is to get the drives to be configured in a RAID array; Am I correct?

Is there a way (without re-installing etc) to use the 2nd drive as a Data drive?

And if I have to configure a RAID array, I believe I have to have a compatible disk...I was thinking of getting a 750gb Western Digital Scorpio Black. Will this be compatible?

Any thoughts comment will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Guys!

 

For an SSD + HDD combo you shouldn't put them into an array, however you should leave the bios in RAID mode. I know its funky sounding to recommend running discs that aren't part of an array in RAID mode but that's by design on any computer that's using Intel RST.

You can use Acronis or any other popular disc cloning software to clone your Windows installation over to your new SSD.

 

well traditionally ppl. are advised NOT to change the type of discs, but i guess theoretically (and correct me if i am wrong) you could pair 2 drives with similar specs but different brands......

yes as long as (and i believe it will be) RAID is enabled in BIO and on startup (CTRL -I) if you plug in hte second drive it would be converted to RAID 0 automatically using the intel RAID console in windows.....follow it's instructions within the app. itself...if further issues get back to us here....

what's funny is i am trying to break the RAID meself...... and have done so....but i guess the hassle of reinstaling and stuff is annoying..

 

Make RESCUE DISCS though...otherwise no going back.....

 

The documentation included with the Intel RST program (fire it up and have a look) will answer most if not all of your drive configuration questions, even for systems with single drives or drives not attached to an array.

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

So...my question now is, is it possible to put an additional drive (I'm still thinking of the Scorpio Black) and use it as a Drive for Data without having to do anything scary?

And have had a look on my order form...it just says "750GB Serial ATA (7200RPM)". The Alienware web site has 204 2.5" Hard disks listed!! Does anyone know which one is in the R3?

If it needs to have the whole Re-installing thing then I will have to leave it, as I work away a lot and need to get it all done rather quickly.

Again, many thanks to you all,

Cheers Guys!

 

Could you please explain how to do this configuration you talk about? I opened the "Intel Rapid Storage Tech", but I do not know what to do from there.....

 

This is my system btw......